Trap-nest.



PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908. W. s. HILL. TRAP NBST. APPLICATION FILED APR. 2.1907`l UNITED s'rarns rarer-vr enteren.

WARREN S. HILL, OF HYDE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOJAMES l MQOAR, GF HYDE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRAP-NEST.

Specification of Letters 'Pat/ent.

ratented June ie, e.

Application filed April 2, :1907. SerialiNo. 365,9601f. Y

citizen of the United States, residing in Hyde Park, county of Norfolk,and State of Massaf chusetts, have invented a new and useful lmprovementin Trap-Nests, of which the folowing is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in explaining its nature.

My invention relates to trap nests in which the occupant, after enteringthe nest-box, to lay, is impounded until she is released by her keeperor attendant.

To accomplish thel purpose of my invention, I have provided anesting-box with a segmental tilting shield, or guard, pivoted at thecenter of its partial rotation, and having its inner edge resting in aposition where a hen or other fowl on entering the nest where she is tolay her egg, will raise the said inner edge enough to tilt the shieldover its center and it will drop to its opposite position and close theentrance opening.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view with theside of the box broken away to show the interior parts in their positionfor the hen to enter the nest. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of same,and Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the shield in the position ofclosed. Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4%4 of Fig. 2.

The box or housing 1, is approximately double the length of its crosssection; the tilting device 2, is pivoted at 5, or practically one-halfits radial diameter from the front of the box 1. This shield may consistof a frame composed. of three rods each having the form of three sidesof a rectangle, these intersecting one another at their free ends and,being there fastened together. The center rod at each side is preferablypro vided vwith an opening to receive the screws or other membersfurnishing the pivots 5. At their outer portion the rods are joined bycurved bands 5, here shown as two in number, these serving as spacersand giving an arc-shaped surface which is covered with netting. A crosspiece 4, at a position to be practically under the inner edge of thetilting device 2, forms the front of the nest proper, posts 3, supportthe shield 2 at a point that will permit the entrance of the head andneck of the hen, but will be raised on the passage of her bodysuflicient to cause the shield 2 to tilt, in the opposite direction, tothe position of closing the entrance to the box 1, as shown in dottedlines in Eig. 2, and thereby im prison the occupant until she isreleased by outside assistance. A hinged or loose cover 8, in the top ofthe box 1., provides access to the nest. A pin 6 inserted in the hole 7,will limit the drop of the shield 2, and permit the nest 9, to be usedwithout the impounding feature, thus permitting of it being used. forordinary nesting, when so desired.

The operation of my invention consists of raising the front edge of thetilting device 2, to the point where its inner edge 10, -will rest onthe supports 3, thereby opening the entrance to the box 1.; this willremain open until the hen in passing into the nest will raise the edge10, suflicient to cause the center of gravity of the shield 2, to passthe center of its axis 5, when it will drop to the position of closed.,as shown in Eig. 3.

l have described my invention as being used for hens only, but it isclearly apparent that it may be used for any other species of fowls oranimals to which. it is adapted.

That l claim is:

1. A trap-nest comprising a box provided with an opening, arms pivotedadjacent to said opening, and a closure for the opening, said closurebeing mounted. on the arms at points removed from the pivots and havingopposite edges alternately movable toward the bottom of the box.

. 2. A trap-nest having a nest-compartment provided with an entrance, apivoted closure for the entrance, said closure being adopted to swingover the pivotal axis and to be. held by gravity in its open and closedpositions, and means for locking the closure in the open position.

The combination with a nest-box provided with an entrance, of a movablemember adapted under the action of gravity, both to maintain theentrance open to admit a fowl and closed to prevent its exit.

et. The combination with a nest-box pro-Y vided with an entrance, of amovable member adapted under the action of gravity both to maintain theentrance open to admit a fowl, and closed to prevent its exit, and meansfor positively securing the member against movement.

5. A trap-nest having a nest-compartment, a runway leading thereto, anda guard mounted to swing longitudinally of the runlill way and to moveit into close proximity therewith at its outer portion, and means forholding the inner portion vof the guard spaced from said runway tofurnish an entrance to the nest-compartment and in a position to Contactwith an entering fowl.

. 6.l The combination with a nest-box .having an entrance-opening, of anarc-shaped guard, converging arms upon which the guard is mounted, andmeans for pivotally supporting the arms at their intersections inproximity to the `entrance openlng.

7. The combination with a nest-box having an entrance-opening, of aguard mounted to swing about an axis in front of said entrance-openingand in thus swinging to shift its center of gravity to opposite sides ofa vertical plane through the axis.

In testimony whereof, I aHix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VARREN S. HILL. Witnesses:

SETH B. WETHERBEE, HERBERT A. STEVENS.

